Game drive to benefit troops

A game drive, sponsored by Game Warriors: Gaming for a Cause, is set to begin Friday to benefit military troops.

On Oct. 30, at 9 p.m., donors who wish to drop off gaming consoles, games, controllers and GameStop gift cards can do so at GameStop in Minden.

All donations must be working and in good condition; however, if donors turn in items that are damaged but can be repaired, it could be sold to GameStop. Donors could then use that money, or store credit, to buy an item or put it on a gift card to give to the game drive.

Donations will go to Operation Supply Drop to provide entertainment to military troops.

“The game drive is set up similar to a toy drive or food drive,” Charles Bell, founder of Gaming for a Cause, said. “We will ship out the donations to Operation Supply Drop sometime between Nov. 7 and Nov. 9, after we have been able to sort and properly box the games, consoles, accessories, and thank you cards.”

A kickoff party will begin at 9 p.m., after normal business hours at GameStop. Hotdogs will be for sale, with the proceeds going towards the cost of shipping the items to the troops, Bell said.

Founded in 2010, Operation Supply Drop brings veterans and civilian supporters together, according to its mission statement.

“We assemble care packages, which we send to veterans deployed, as well as to those in hospitals or to military installations across the world, along with supporting events like homecomings, family days, Christmas parties and deployment ceremonies,” according to their website.

“Operation Supply Drop distributes the consoles and games to the deployed troops to have something to do during downtime,” Bell explained.

Operation Supply Drop deliveries include care packages to deployed service members, military hospitals or hospitals that provide care to veterans and their families, military installation warrior transition battalions, morale, welfare and recreation centers, family days, Christmas parties and airport lounge facilities.

The game drive ends Friday, Nov. 6. A donation box will be set up outside GameStop for the entire week.